Cell division in a species of Erwinia. XI. Some aspects of the carbon and nitrogen nutrition of Erwinia species.

Abstract

The species of Erwinia used in cell division studies (Grula 1960a) will grow on L- or D-aspartic acid, but no other amino acid, as a sole source of carbon, nitrogen, and energy. Ammonia is utilizable as a sole source of nitrogen; in this case the rate and extent of growth are significantly influenced by the carbon source. Of all compounds tested, malic acid supports the most rapid and abundant growth in an ammonium chloride – mineral salts medium. Added pantothenate often stimulates growth in ammonium chloride media, but not in aspartic acid media. Growth in an ammonium chloride – glucose – salts medium is rather slow and limited. Marked stimulation occurs by supplementation with intermediates of the Krebs cycle, even though the compound supports little or no growth as a sole carbon source. Neither L-glutamic acid nor α-ketoglutaric acid supports growth as a sole carbon source; this is believed to result from impermeability of the cell to these compounds.